Jerez

Jerez de García Salinas is a small town and weekend getaway some one hour southwest of the capital of Zacatecas. Founded way back in 1596, the territory was then occupied by mixed bands of chichimeca peoples, and settled by Guachichile and Zacateco peoples. The name though dervices from the Arabic word scherisch, which gets translated as place of abundant vegetables. The earliest Spanish in the area though the place resembled landscape of Jerez de la Frontera on the Spanish border with Gibraltar. In 1952, the honorific was added to commemorate the liberal politician and 19th century governor of Zacateca, Francisco García Salinas (1786-1841).

The town is so visited today because it is the birthplace of tamborazo zacatecano, a fusion of ancient musical styles with styles and instruments brought from other lands. It actually began with adaptations of military music, and brass bands. Thereafter, the style deeply influenced nearly all other regional musical styles in Mexico.

People come here before or after visits to the ruins at La Quemada some 40 minutes to the southeast. But in truth, the town is here, and people come here, because the surrounding country is one of orchards and forest land. It's a verdant and dramatic landscape of adventure, outdoor activities, and exploration. Closer to town, visitors take to the Rafael Páez Garden, and the Hinojosa Theater. The former girls school, now known as the La Torre building gives you an idea that this is not just another dusty Zacatecas town.

People eat, and eat very well in the main market, named for Benito Juarez. Local cuisine is loaded with surprises. But equidistant from the center of town, there's an Artisan Market too. You can eat there as well, but expect to be wowed by every kind of keepsake, artwork, handicraft, and novelty item, along the way. 

People are getting here from the capital. The drive is less than an hour. Colectivos and combis generally depart from the area of the Central Bus Terminal on the east of the Centro. The trip from neighboring Pueblo Magico, Villanueva, generally takes about 45 minutes.